Reiter Russel J, Rosales-Corral Sergio A, Manchester Lucien C, Tan Dun-Xian
Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.
Int J Mol Sci. 2013 Apr 2;14(4):7231-72. doi: 10.3390/ijms14047231.
Melatonin has a wide variety of beneficial actions at the level of the gonads and their adnexa. Some actions are mediated via its classic membrane melatonin receptors while others seem to be receptor-independent. This review summarizes many of the published reports which confirm that melatonin, which is produced in the ovary, aids in advancing follicular maturation and preserving the integrity of the ovum prior to and at the time of ovulation. Likewise, when ova are collected for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer, treating them with melatonin improves implantation and pregnancy rates. Melatonin synthesis as well as its receptors have also been identified in the placenta. In this organ, melatonin seems to be of particular importance for the maintenance of the optimal turnover of cells in the villous trophoblast via its ability to regulate apoptosis. For male gametes, melatonin has also proven useful in protecting them from oxidative damage and preserving their viability. Incubation of ejaculated animal sperm improves their motility and prolongs their viability. For human sperm as well, melatonin is also a valuable agent for protecting them from free radical damage. In general, the direct actions of melatonin on the gonads and adnexa of mammals indicate it is an important agent for maintaining optimal reproductive physiology.
褪黑素在性腺及其附属器官水平具有多种有益作用。一些作用是通过其经典的膜褪黑素受体介导的，而其他作用似乎与受体无关。本综述总结了许多已发表的报告，这些报告证实卵巢中产生的褪黑素有助于促进卵泡成熟，并在排卵前及排卵时保持卵子的完整性。同样，当收集卵子用于体外受精-胚胎移植时，用褪黑素处理卵子可提高着床率和妊娠率。褪黑素的合成及其受体也已在胎盘中被鉴定出来。在这个器官中，褪黑素似乎通过调节细胞凋亡的能力，对维持绒毛滋养层细胞的最佳更新特别重要。对于雄配子，褪黑素也已被证明有助于保护它们免受氧化损伤并保持其活力。对射出的动物精子进行孵育可提高其活力并延长其存活时间。对于人类精子而言，褪黑素也是保护它们免受自由基损伤的重要物质。总体而言，褪黑素对哺乳动物性腺和附属器官的直接作用表明它是维持最佳生殖生理的重要物质。
